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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum, Depending on Your Space

After testing robot vacuums for the past 18 months, here's my advice on what to look for.
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My Top Picks
  • SwitchBot K10+ Pro Robot Vacuum Self Emptying for 90 Days Hands-Free, Super Quiet Mini Robotic Vacuum Cleaner with High Suction Power, Anti-Hair-Tangle, Works with Matter/Alexa/Siri, 2.4Ghz WiFi
    Best for small spaces that only need a vacuum: Switchbot K10+ Pro Mini Robot Vacuum
    $599.99 at Amazon
  • Roborock S8 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop, FlexiArm Design, Auto Mop Washing&Drying, Smart Dirt Detection, Self-Emptying, 8000Pa Suction, 20mm Mop Lifting, Obstacle Avoidance, Auto Add Cleaner, White
    Best for large homes with hard surfaces: Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop
    $1,299.99 at Amazon
  • dreame X50 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop with Auto-Empty and Mop Self-Cleaning, 20,000Pa Suction, Obstacle Avoidance and 360° Navigation, Corner to Edge Deep Cleaning, Detangling Brush
    Best for homes with lots of obstacles: Dreame X50 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop
    $1,699.99 at Amazon
  • Dyson 360 VisNav
    Best for large homes with mostly soft surfaces: Dyson 360 Vis Nav Robot Vacuum
    $999.95 at Amazon
  • QRevo Curv
    Best for families with kids and pets: Roborock Edge Robot Vacuum and Mop
    $1,299.98 at Amazon

Every year, the companies that produce robot vacuums and mops come out with multiple new models; at the same time, new brands continue entering the market, flooding you—the person who needs cleaner floors—with an overwhelming amount of options to consider and specs to compare.

Over the last eighteen months, I've tested forty or so robot vacuums in my actual home, not an obstacle course or test lab. I've asked the robots to deal with carpet, rugs, tile, and wood floors with every obstacle you can imagine, including low furniture, cords, muddy paw prints, and curtains. I've spoken to engineers at many of the companies whose robots I test to ask them questions about why technology is being replaced, or what need they're responding to when they introduce a feature. I've also gone through the support process on many of these robots, seeing how technicians respond to help questions.

I'm often asked which model people should buy, and while I do have my favorites, the real answer is that it depends a lot on what kind of household you're running. (More on what to consider and what not to consider down below.)

Table of Contents

My Top Picks
  • SwitchBot K10+ Pro Robot Vacuum Self Emptying for 90 Days Hands-Free, Super Quiet Mini Robotic Vacuum Cleaner with High Suction Power, Anti-Hair-Tangle, Works with Matter/Alexa/Siri, 2.4Ghz WiFi
    Best for small spaces that only need a vacuum: Switchbot K10+ Pro Mini Robot Vacuum
    Get It Now
  • Roborock S8 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop, FlexiArm Design, Auto Mop Washing&Drying, Smart Dirt Detection, Self-Emptying, 8000Pa Suction, 20mm Mop Lifting, Obstacle Avoidance, Auto Add Cleaner, White
    Best for large homes with hard surfaces: Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop
  • dreame X50 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop with Auto-Empty and Mop Self-Cleaning, 20,000Pa Suction, Obstacle Avoidance and 360° Navigation, Corner to Edge Deep Cleaning, Detangling Brush
    Best for homes with lots of obstacles: Dreame X50 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop
  • Dyson 360 VisNav
    Best for large homes with mostly soft surfaces: Dyson 360 Vis Nav Robot Vacuum
  • QRevo Curv
    Best for families with kids and pets: Roborock Edge Robot Vacuum and Mop

Vacuums are always increasing in the amount of suction (measured as Pa) they utilize. In the last year, we've seen the average robot go from 8,000Pa to over 20,000Pa—and it doesn't translate to much difference in how they perform. Members of these companies have explained that they continue to raise the suction power mostly because consumers think it matters. It's one of the top factors people use to decide on a vacuum. In my experience, while more suction might help a little, how much a vacuum actually gets off the floor is a complicated algorithm involving the shape and extendibility of the sweeping brush, how effective the roller/s are at moving debris through themselves (versus getting caught up), and the size of the tubes that take debris from the floor into the debris container on board. Other factors include the obstacle avoidance technology, which might erroneously tell your robot to avoid debris that it shouldn't, or poor illumination from the robot that might miss finer debris on the floor.

Finally, people often pick based on price. While I mostly have tested high-end robots, a few of my favorites are quite affordable. It's also been disappointing to test expensive robots that turn out to be nothing special. While I believe it's more likely you'll get a better robot based on how much you spend, it's not conclusive. By the same token, you're likely to find a budget vacuum that works for your family if you look long enough.

Each robot is made differently, and each has specific benefits and drawbacks. The best way to find what works for you is by deciding what's more important: Do you need it to vacuum and mop? Do you have a lot of obstacles in your home, or is dust your biggest battle? Use the above recommendations to guide you in the right direction.

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Amanda Blum

Amanda Blum is a freelancer who writes about smart home technology, gardening, and food preservation. 

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